A DEADLY tropical plant native to central and south America has been discovered in two Dorset gardens.

Datura Stramonium, or Devil’s Snare, is used by the South American Indians to poison their hunting spears and fishing hooks, and is prised in some cultures for its hallucinogenic qualities.

Its poison can cause a dry mouth, blurred vision, heart irregularities and even coma or death in severe cases.

But astonishingly it is making an unlikely flowerbed-fellow for poppies and roses in two gardens in Dorset – and the owners were completely unaware of the danger.

Virginia Perkins, 67, of Branksome, Poole, said her husband John recognised the plant in a national newspaper yesterday, and made a hurried phone call home.

She told the Echo: “I thought ‘good grief we’ve got a killer plant in the garden.’ It was like Day of the Triffids!”

She added: “I didn’t like the look of it anyway – I thought it was an ugly plant, but it’s just as well I didn’t touch it.”

The couple said the Devil’s Snare had grown among wildflower seeds they’d sprinkled earlier in the year – but they couldn’t be sure where it came from.

And Julie Ratcliffe of Burton, Christchurch, said she too only discovered the deadly nature of the 4ft tall bush in her garden when her son showed her the same newspaper article.

She said: “Fortunately I don’t think there’s anything in Burton to warrant us to put poison on spears and throw them at people – but it’s not something you want in your garden. It’s really quite toxic.”

She said she was going to get her civil engineer husband Mike to don his mask, goggles and safety gear to rid them of the poisonous shrub.

He Royal Horticultural Society confirmed the identification and warned “all parts, particularly the seeds, are highly poisonous.” They advised to dig, pull or hoe out plants before seed is set. Plants that have set seed should be binned or burnt ao they don’t spread the seeds. And always wear gloves or thoroughly wash hands after handling this plant.

DO YOU HAVE ONE IN YOUR GARDEN?

Datura stramonium grows up to 1m has broad and coarsely toothed leaves, and flowers pale funnel-shaped flowers. Seedpods are large and spiny.